We arrive in Seattle unsure of what to expect from our maiden US voyage. Our first engagement is a radio session for KEXP, a west-coast radio station on which Maps are the most played act of recent weeks.

Then it's off to the Crocodile Cafe to experience our first American audience. Despite it being Sunday, gone midnight and us following Jamie T, the venue is full to bursting. After watching African-influenced New Yorkers Vampire Weekend, we take the stage. The crowd is markedly different from those in Europe.

Their sheer volume blows us away. They know all the words and scream their approval of every song. A girl storms the stage to hand Matt a drink. There are numerous high fives with the front row. We leave the stage on a real high, feeling we have genuinely connected with the audience.

Next stop, San Francisco where we meet our first American superfan - a teenage girl who had been waiting for Maps to arrive at the venue just to get our autographs. We thought this was so sweet we invited her and her mum inside to watch the sound check and take photos. We also gave her Ben's old drum skin.

Later, the show was jammed and the vibe was electric. It truly blows us away to know that Maps has taken off so well in places we've played in the States so far.

After the show, we invited some crazy gals back to the hotel to make a spoof, comic porn video. It's not as seedy as it sounds, but should Andy ever hang up his bass, he would make a fine "adult" actor.

We arrive in Los Angeles in glorious sunshine and spend the afternoon on Venice Beach. Phil points out that this time next week we will be in Stoke.

The show is at Spaceland, where we find that coma-inducing troubadour James Blunt is playing the following day. Despite this blow to morale, we are well received by the locals and, after a few post-show pints with new friends, it's off to New York.

We are to make our east-coast debut at the Mercury Lounge in front of a notoriously fickle New York audience. Our sound man Adam is reprimanded for the volume of the soundcheck. The gig is even louder!

The venue is heaving and we play our hearts out to a hugely appreciative audience. We leave the stage and have to walk through the crowd to reach our dressing room. It was like a scene from Rocky - back slaps, bear hugs and high fives all round. The excellent local band the Silent League congratulate us, saying, "That just doesn't happen in New York."

Last date of the tour finds us in Brooklyn where we play the ultra-hip Luna Lounge. The crowd are standoffish for the support acts and we expect the same treatment, but thankfully they cheer and dance throughout the show. The reactions of the US public to Maps on our American debut has made us all eager to return as soon as possible. Thank you, USA!